Obama to address nation's growing problem with opioids

WASHINGTON- The Obama administration is issuing a proposed rule that aims to increase medication-based treatment for tens of thousands of people dealing with addiction to opioids.

The proposed rule, along with a commitment from 60 medical schools to heighten training for prescribing opioids, will coincide with President Barack Obama's visit today to Atlanta where he will address a conference for treatment providers, counselors, lawmakers and law enforcement officers dealing with an exploding drug problem.

Opioids are highly addictive drugs that include both prescription painkillers like codeine and morphine, as well as illegal narcotics like heroin. Deaths linked to opioids soared to more than 29,000 in 2014, the highest number on record.

Obama is seeking $1.1 billion in new federal funds to confront the problem.